Innov8 Acadiana Brings Four Startups to New Orleans Entrepreneur Week

Innov8 Acadiana serves the region by helping entrepreneurs accelerate to the next level of success. Their primary mission is to introduce scalable companies with motivated investors ready to provide capital, mentoring, and contacts as equity business partners.

Each year, entrepreneurs and innovators throughout the region are able to participate in events such as the LAGCOE Energy Pitch Competition, and Delta Regional Authority Summit Pitch.

The 2015 Innov8 Awards winners were given the chance to attend New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), the annual festival of entrepreneurship in the Big Easy each spring.

Meet the four companies:

CoverSix – active shooter training facility

Cythereal – cyber security detection and analysis software

Prep Tech – medical patent saving precious surgical time

Viper Drill – horizontal drilling for optimum oil production

Earlier this month, Innov8 announced a major partnership with JPMorgan Chase. The bank granted them $75,000 to grow the Acadiana entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Small and emerging companies often are where innovation and ideas happen. Right here in Acadiana, entrepreneurs are tackling some of the world’s biggest problems, creating innovative products, and helping other businesses function more efficiently and effectively. As a supporting partner of INNOV8 Acadiana, we are proud to assist budding in Acadiana,” said Ed Hebert, managing director, Chase commercial banking in Acadiana.

Throughout 2016, Innov8, a Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA) company, plans to host several events including monthly meetups, pitch competitions such as the LAGCOE Energy Innovators Pitch, as well as form a new angel investment group, Acadiana Angels.

Louisiana Economic Development (LED) has also partnered with Innov8 for a CEO Roundtable series in July. The application process is currently open through the end of the month. Organizers are seeking key decision makers that operate high-growth companies looking to enhance leadership abilities and improve decision-making, network and develop meaningful relationships, engage in open discussions about all aspects of their business, and more.